Flexible pipe slip for drilling apparatus



1,637,200 July 26, 1927- F. .1. OBRIEN FLEXIBLE PIPE SLIP FOR DRILLINGAPPARATUS Filed Jan.l8. 1926 I F t l Patented a 26, 1927.

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Application filed January 18, 1926. Serial No. 82,070. i

This invention relates to improvements in the slips or gripping devicesused in connection with well drilling apparatus,

Its chief objectis to rovide a device of I this character having simpleand inexpens.

si've means for flexibly connecting the sec tors thereof so that theyare capable of expandin and contracting to a limited extent.

Anot er object ofthe invention is the prolateral play between theslip-sectors. I

'With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, and arrangement of parts 10 vision ofdetachable means for limiting the hereinafter referred I to andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is "a sideelevation of theinvention showing the same seated in the customary bushing of asupporting table. Figure 2 is. a

top'plan view thereof. Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse verticalsection on line 3-3, Fi 2. Figure 4 is atransverse vertical section online 44, Fig. 3. Figure 5 is a fragmentaryhoriz'ontal section on line I5-5, Fi 3: Figure is a ofpne o the spacerplates.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several perspective view e0 views. i

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, thesame comprises a pair of sli units A, B, adapted for engagement with t etapered opening of the customary table or spider bushing 11,

the pipe or casing extending through these slip units and'suspended fromthem in the usual manner.

Each of these slip units consists of a series of. sectors '12, threebein shown in the drawings, which are space radially and connected withone another to form a flexible and substantially continuoussemi-circular gripping face for engaging one side of the casing. Thesesectors are of uniform shape and their outer, bearing faces are taperedto conform to the conical bushing-opening 11), while their innergripping faces are pro vided with threads or wickers 13 to prevent thepipe or casing from slipping downwardly relatively thereto. u

The preferred coupling or connection for flei ribly joining the sectorsof each slip unit with one another consists of. a pair of vertical pivotrods or pins 14 carried by the cesses 16 and 1'7, respectively, forreceiving the ends of the links 15. e upper recess .is formed betweenthe top wall of the re spective sector and an inwardly-facing horizontalflange 18 cast thereon, while the lower recess is formed between a pairof similar flanges 19, the several flanges extending transversely of thesector and joined at their ends to the inner and outer fa thereon asshown. in Fig. 5. The top wall of the sector andthe flanges 18; 19 areprovided with alining vertical openings 20, 21, res ectively, throughwhich 1 the cor respon ing pivot rod 14 extends, the latter resting atits lowerend on a flan e or abutment 22. The top opening 20 is t ireadedto receive a set screw Q3, which, together with the abutment 22', holdsthe pivot rod in place and yetpermits its ready insertion and re movalin assembling and dismembering the slip-sectors.

This construction and arrangement of parts effectually prevents verticaldisplacement of the sectors relative to one another and aiiords ampleflexibility to adapt the slip units to firmly grip the pipe about itsentire circumference without straining or breaking the hinge "jointsbetween such sectors. Furthermore, the links or tie-bars 15 maintain theslip-sectors in proper alinement and permit the expansion andcontraction of the slip units to render them capable of use with pipesor casings of various diameters within certain limits. It is to beunderstood that by inserting or removing one or more sectors, theslip-units can be readily converted for use with large or small casings.

For the purpose of limiting the lateral play between the slip-sectors1%; spacer adapted to be-removably mounted between the opposin walls ofadjoining sectors, as shown in 1g. 3. These spacer plates aresubstantially rectangular in shape and are provided in their upper andlower edges with notches or recesses 25'which engage the upper and lowerlinks-15 in the manner shown in Fig. 4, whereby said plates are held inplace.

The outer sectors of each slip unit have lugs 26 thereon for receivingthe ends of a sultab'le handle 27.

I claim as my invention:

1. A casing slip of the character described, comprising a plurality ofsubstantially hollow. sectors each includin upper and lower sets of saced in'wardlyacing flanges in their latera faces and containingvertically-alined o nings therein, the spaces between said anges formingrecesses opening into the lateral faces of the sectors,

pivot rods extending through the openings,

of said flanges and held against vertical displacement in oppositedirections and upper and lower links connecting ad]oining sectors andfulcrumed on the pivot rods thereof, the ends of said links engaging theopposing recesses of the sectors.

2. A casing slip of the character described, comprising 'a plurality ofsubstantially hollow sectors, each including upper and lower l opposingrecesses of the sectors.

3. A casing slip of the character described,

comprising a plurality of radially-spaced sectors, upper and lowerhorizontal links pivotally connectingadjoining sectors, and platesarranged in the spaces between said sectors, the upper and lower edgesof said plates haviIpEs notches engaging the corresponding 1i FREDERICKJ. OBRIEN.

